Each child’s individual care routine is met by our staff. each room has a daily routine which gives them an outline of day to day activities and routines for the children.
Each room has a coordinator role, their job is to ensure the smooth efficient running of the room. Our qualified staff are nursery nurses, who not only look after the children’s care routine, they also plan themes and activities. They are responsible for one month’s planning, and produce a portfolio of the activities and extracurricular activities. they also show evidence on where they have conducted their research.
Nottage is registered for 48 children per session and the setting operates Monday – Friday between the hours of 7.30 a.m and 6.00 p.m
Babies – Early Learners
On the upstairs floor of our Nursery we have our 6 weeks – 2 years Early Learners Room.
Activities and play equipment promote creativity, coordination, manipulation, language development and sensory stimulus.
Babies are encouraged to participate in arts and crafts and messy play activities. These are an important factor in the children’s weekly activity programme.
Staff plan a range of activities based around a theme in the six areas of learning. We do the seventh area of learning which is Welsh, and we incorporate this in our day to day routines. Planning is sent home each month via email for parents to observe.
A focus task is conducted each day which is adult led. This gives staff the opportunity to monitor children’s progress, and produce a report for parents at the end of each three monthly theme.
Staff continually monitor the children’s progress by means of a “skills ring”. This is broken down into key areas of development and learning. Staff map when individual children have achieved each milestone. “Skills rings” are given to parents when their child leaves to go to school. Schools are able to use the information as a baseline. Staff and parents are then able to see at what stage a child’s development is at a glance.
We have a target tree in the baby room. Each child is given a target and they practice these each day. These are mapped on to a target chart. Once a child successfully achieves that target five times, we celebrate that achievement by a special song and a certificate goes home to parents.
At sleep time, children under one years of age or on request sleep in travel cots. They have their own labelled sheets that are laundered after every third use. For children over one year of age or on request, we have roll out mattresses for each child that are placed on the floor in the designated sleep area. Children have individual labelled sheets that are laundered after every third use.
Toddler’s – Little Explorers
On the downstairs floor of our Nursery, it is split into two rooms, one for the Toddler children and one for the Preschool children. Our sessions are designed specifically to meet the individual development needs of your child, allowing them to learn at their own pace. These busy, chatty toddlers look around with excited eyes and see a world waiting to be explored and conquered. Our activities are planned and structured to meet their needs through play, focus tasks and observations.
Your child will grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. Intellectual development will be encouraged by our emphasis on early literacy and numeracy. Social skills will be learned through observing, listening, playing and interacting with staff and other children. Emotional experience includes sensitivity towards the needs and feelings of others. Physical development covers everything from play and dressing to toileting.
Staff plan a range of activities based around a theme in the six areas of learning. We do the seventh area of learning which is Welsh, and we incorporate this in our day to day routines. Planning is sent home each month via email for parents to observe.
As with the baby room, a focus task is conducted each day which is adult led and a termly report of achievements is produced for parents.
Skills rings and target time, as explained above in our baby room section are carried out in all rooms in the nursery, following the same routine and structure for the children’s development.
At sleep time, we have roll out mattresses for each child that are placed on the floor in the designated sleep area. Children have individual labelled sheets that are laundered after every third use.
Preschool -Big Ambitions
Within our pre-school room we mirror the educational framework ‘The Curriculum Wales .
The Curriculum Wales is about enhancing the learning experiences which enable children to be creative, imaginative and to have fun whilst learning which is all based on the children’s interests.
Children will be given the opportunities to explore the world around them and to understand how things work through engaging in relevant practical activities which are fun and enjoyable and relevant to their development stages.
The Curriculum Wales is based around 5 areas of learning:
- Physical
- Belonging
- Wellbeing
- Exploration
- Communication
We at Bright Beginnings pride ourselves on mirroring this curriculum to the maximum, and use every opportunity as a learning opportunity.
Our parents are impressed by our planning, and the activities and experiences that we offer the children in promoting this educational framework.
Parents receive a Termly report on their child’s progress within the Foundation Phase Curriculum.
A Teachable moment is conducted each day which is adult led. This gives staff the opportunity to monitor children’s progress.
Skills rings and target time, as explained above in our baby room section are carried out in all rooms in the nursery, following the same routine and structure for the children’s development.
As described above in our baby room and toddler room sections, we have the facilities to cater for children’s sleep time. However, we do work towards discouraging sleep once children are three years of age, and have this chat with parents to prepare their children for school.
Meals and refreshments are served at various times throughout the day. Bright Beginnings acknowledges that a healthy, balanced diet is essential for children’s growth and happiness. All snacks and meals are planned in advance. We have a robust system to manage special dietary requirements.
Please be advised that breakfast is served up until 8.30am. Please note that the following is offered for breakfast: Weetabix, Cornflakes, Porridge, or Toast.
Lunch and Dessert is served at 12pm each day. A Qualified cook freshly prepares these meals for the children using our industrial Kitchen. Parents can view any of our menus on request. All Menus’ work on a four week rolling system for each term (4 months), changing each term.
Tea is served at 4pm for children attending a full day session and our after school club children. This consists of a hot light tea for children aged 6 weeks-2 years and an hot or cold light tea for children two and above.
Snacks are served during our morning and afternoon periods according to the individual room’s routine. This is a small, light snack designed to give children access to a variety of fruit and vegetables. Water or milk only is offered at meal times, children have continual access to water in their rooms with labelled water bottles throughout the day. We do not serve juices, squashes or fizzy drinks in line with our food and diet policy.
- The setting is registered to provide care in compliance with the National Minimum Standards for Full Day Care and the Childminding and Day Care (Wales) Regulations 2002.
- The setting is registered to care for 48 children aged 6 weeks-12 years
- Days and hours of operation: 7.30 a.m – 6.00p.m Monday to Friday
- Kitchen and church is out of bounds to children
Nursery places are available to both boys and girls between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years. We offer a before and after school club from the local primary school (West Park Primary), which offers places for children aged between 3 years and 12 years. The setting is predominately an English medium setting with some use of Welsh.
We have 14 members of staff including a catering officer who freshly prepares nutritious meals each day in our industrial, fully equipped kitchen. We also have a housekeeper who ensures the premises are maintained to a high standard. All of our staff are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. At Bright Beginnings we are a huge advocate of training. All staff have the opportunity to attend core training, e.g. First Aid, Child Protection, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety Training, however we strive to give our staff the opportunity to attend further training e.g. Challenging Behaviour In the Early Years, Leadership & Management, Forest School, Foundation Phase, Speech & Language etc.
Nottage is located in the popular village of Nottage in Porthcawl. The Nursery is situated within St David’s Church, offering large and spacious rooms. There are three outside gardens which are not only used for the children to play and have fun; it is used to take the children’s learning outdoors. Due to the location of the Nursery, the children enjoy lovely walks to nearby parks and the seafront.
Each child receives a two hour taster session which is usually 9.30 a.m – 11.30 a.m. During the first 20 minutes or so parents will speak to staff about current routines and any dietary requirements. After this time, children will brave in on their own to get themselves familiar with the surroundings and staff. Any additional sessions will be discussed with the Manager.
We offer a pickup and drop off service from West Park Primary School, and a holiday club called Kidz zone offering places to children aged 3-12 years. Our school drop off is from 7.30 a.m – 9.00 a.m and our pick up service is from 3.20 p.m – 6.00 p.m. Please be advised that we are unable to provide a pick up or drop off service outside of these times. We are signed up to the Child Care Offer in Bridgend, which offers eligible parents 30 hours of funded child care during school holidays. This is accessible in our Kidz Zone Holiday Club, subject to availability.
We produce a development plan each year on how to improve our service. We look at four key actions and look at different areas:
- Where we are currently and how we can improve
- What resources and funding we will need
- Who will be involved in each key action
- What our timescales will be
- What our success criteria will be
Our development plan is reviewed every three months.
The Nursery has a range of policies including policies on Behaviour Management, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection, Health and Safety, Parents as Partners and Special Needs etc. Full details of the Company’s policies and procedures are on display in the foyer for your perusal at any time.
We have provisions for dealing with children becoming unwell, e.g. high temperature or children requiring emergency medical attention, details of which are contained within our contract.
